It’s a good question.
Starting with the Story:
Our Gospel story today portrays Jesus sending 70 disciples out to spread the word about his mission. Putting aside for a moment the miraculous accomplishment of finding 70 volunteers to do anything (how does he do that?), we ponder the equally miraculous accomplishment of getting 70 people to talk about their faith. 70 evangelists brave enough to go into strange towns talk about Jesus–that alone is proof that Jesus is the Messiah!
We don’t know what Jesus did or said to get the 70 out on the road, but it’s easy to see what keeps them going: Success! They come back to Jesus joyfully reporting on their success: “Even demons submit to us!” Jesus shares their enthusiasm, even giving them more authority and opportunity. Success breeds success, even in Jesus’ mission.
Contrast:
Joy isn’t usually the word we use to describe evangelism, and maybe that’s part of our problem with sharing the faith. The usual story of human sin and failure, God’s justified wrath and the innocent victim who suffers the brunt of that wrath, just isn’t a joyful story. Christians call it a story of love, but I don’t think even those who tell this story are fooled. God’s perfectionist demands and the threat of eternal punishment, even if Jesus manages to save us from them, don’t sound like a story of love. Jesus’ 70 followers were preaching the Good News of God’s presence coming in Jesus’ message, but how is it a good thing that God is present when this is what we imagine God to be?
News of God’s presence should not cause fear and dread, but joy, at least that’s what the 70 found. But that means we know that God’s love looks like love, showing the goodness of God’s will for us. Salvation through Jesus doesn’t mean that he snatches us out of the hand of an angry god–the enemy is death and the powers of evil, not our creator. The 70 knew this, and so they had the confidence of faith to offer signs demonstrating God’s will for wholeness. Our faith needs that same boost so that we trust in God’s love, giving us the ability to work for that message of life, even when things get tough.
Get ready to say something!
That brings me to the question at the top: What keeps you going? What are the signs for you of life and wholeness, even (as the Book of Common Prayer says) “we are placed among things that are passing away”? We need to hear your answer. As a community, we’re pretty good at sharing our needs, praying for one another, and offering support, even counsel. But there’s more to being a Christian community than being a support group, however holy. We share more than sympathy–we build each other up and inspire with the Good News and the vision of God’s Kingdom.
So where do you see it? We had a few answers in church on Sunday: in the new life of a baby, in reconciled quarrels, in lives rebuilt from the disasters of addiction, and in the confidence of faith. But there must be more to the picture. What do you see? What keeps you going in the faith? We all really need to know!
4 Responses
Love. Love keeps me going. The love of a friend or family member (here or passed). The love of a stranger in times of turmoil. The bonding of people despite differences. The trust we build and rebuild. Love is a force that never fades and can not be explained. The gift of love is eternal and may change forms or work on differing levels, but love is love is love and the world is overflowing with it. When I feel dark or hopeless, I am reminded of God’s love for me and for us all. I found a loving parent in God. Love keeps me going, Love keeps me showing love, through pain and sorrow, through joy and peace, through loss and heartache, love is ever present. I praise the Lord for the love I have, as well as the love I receive.
Daily prayer which reminds me that I am beloved of God, NO MATTER WHAT is going on keeps me going. That leads me to strive to mirror God’s love throughout my day. Trinity is my faith family which both nurtures and challenges me.
I think what keeps me going in the faith is knowing that God has a plan for my life, my future. I can look back at times when doors opened or closed to opportunities to change and step out in faith despite misgivings and not a little trepidation! I believe that a whole series of events in the last few years brought me to this husband, this city, this church for the Glory of
God. My challenge now is to have the courage to trust that when God opens doors to new opportunities to serve him whatever, whenever, wherever, He is in charge and I need not fear walking through them.
Silence and sound. Time for silence, particularly in prayer. Taking time to be with God without talking so much is the foundation. But making sound in singing and in talking with people who are a support is crucial when things get rough.